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English Riviera Global Geopark The English Riviera is home to some of the most spectacular coastline on the South West peninsula. It also has a unique geological heritage that spans millions of years. For centuries the English Riviera has been famed for its glorious landscape where all kinds of rare exotica and wildlife thrive in over 100 parks and gardens.

For us, it is of great importance that we preserve and respect the English Riviera's unique environment, heritage and culture for the enjoyment of generations to come.

We are now part of a family of 50 UNESCO Global Geoparks and UNESCO's ONLY urban Geopark. The English Riviera Geopark aims to show you our resort in a way that you have never seen it before and to understand our dynamic planet and how it has shaped our local environment.

Geological processes have been operating from the beginning of the Earth's history, creating the beautiful English Riviera landscape and coastline we see today, from the striking limestone headlands to the rich red soils and cliff faces. Here are just four sites that you may wish to visit and begin to understand the fascinating geological story of the English Riviera.

http://www.englishrivierageopark.org.uk/

Berry Head

The Devonian Period, 418 to 354 million years ago

Berry Head

Visit Berry Head National Nature Reserve and you will be standing 60m (200ft) above sea level on the remains of a massive coral reef.

Babbacombe Downs

Mountain Building Era, 300 million years ago

Babbocome Downs

On a local scale this major episode in the Earth’s history had a fundamental effect on the rocks of the English Riviera.

Goodrington

The Permian Period, 290 to 248 million years ago

Goodrington

Here in the middle of the horseshoe bay that shapes the English Riviera, the land is made of the softer red sandstones which erode far more easily.

Kents Cavern

The Quartenerary Period, 1.8 million years ago

Kents Cavern

Just imagine the English Riviera echoing to the sounds of saber-toothed cat and mammoth, whilst in the caves, sounds of early man would have been all around you.